“As well as being an international best-seller, the Freelander also invented a new segment – the compact premium 4WD sector,” said Land Rover’s managing director, Matthew Taylor. “The latest changes are designed to improve the premium nature of the Freelander, and make it an even more desirable and successful vehicle.”

The most obvious enhancements are to the styling. The front bumper, headlamps and front grille are brand new, and adopt the distinctive family face pioneered by the new Range Rover. The new, twin-pocket clear lens headlamps are similar to those of the Freelander’s big brother, the Range Rover, and provide a higher light intensity – improved by 70 per cent. The front bumpers are restyled and are now body coloured.

The rear bumper is also now body coloured, and the tail lamps have been repositioned higher on the bumper, improving their visibility and reducing the likelihood of them being obscured by road grime or off-roading dust.

The cabin of the 2004 Freelander has been comprehensively restyled, to improve comfort and the feeling of luxury. “We’ve paid particular attention to the interior,” said Matthew Taylor. “It’s where our customers spend most of their time with the car and the area where we knew there was room for improvement. Premium car buyers expect premium cabins, and we are confident they will be impressed with the new Freelander’s interior.”

There is a new facia, new instruments, new switchgear, new door trims and new seats, offering better body and under-thigh comfort, plus new upholstery fabrics. The cabin doesn’t just look better; the feel of the materials has also been greatly improved.

There continues to be two body styles on offer: a three-door version, featuring a detachable hardback or fold-up soft-back, and a five-door.

The Australian models are powered by the 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo diesel.

The 2004 Freelander remains the king of off-roading among compact 4WDs. Its full-time four-wheel drive and a host of high-tech electronic systems, such as Hill Descent Control and Electronic Traction Control, allow the Freelander to wade through water, climb and descend slippery slopes, and give superb driver control when the going gets tough.

“The Freelander’s off-road engineering translates into real on-road driving benefits too,” said Matthew Taylor. “Its higher, ‘command’ driving position allows driver and passengers to see more, and the full-time 4WD system plus electronic controls offer more security when conditions turn treacherous – in snow, heavy rain or when hitting slippery patches on tarmac.

“The Freelander offers the traditional benefits of a premium 4WD, but with the nimbleness and practicality of a premium car.

“Most important, it comes from Land Rover. We only make 4WDs. This engineering pedigree, we believe, gives the Freelander a big advantage over rivals from conventional car makers.”

CLOSE-UP

The main changes to the 2004 Freelander are a new interior and major design improvements to the nose and tail of the vehicle. “The goal for the 2004 Freelander was to improve the premium feel of the vehicle, and to introduce the latest Land Rover family look, as seen on the new Range Rover and 2003 Discovery,” said Land Rover’s managing director Matthew Taylor.

The Range Rover’s twin-pocket style headlamps appear on the Freelander for the first time. They not only look more modern, but also offer a substantially higher light intensity – improved by 70 per cent. The light is also ‘whiter’ and better spread.

There is a new mesh grille and the restyled front bumpers are now body coloured, they were previously black. The redesigned front bumper does not affect the Freelander’s class-leading approach angles when off-roading.

As before, key mechanicals are tucked safely out of the way. For example, the Freelander’s steering rack is mounted high on the bulkhead, unlike most rivals, keeping it well away from off-road dangers. The front wings are made from dent-resistant thermoplastic, which can shrug off low speed bumps, a good example of Land Rover’s innate understanding of the special needs of the 4WD market.

The Land Rover badging on the leading edge of the bonnet is also new, reflecting the same style used on the Discovery and new Range Rover.

The rear bumpers of the 2004 Freelander are redesigned. They are now body coloured, rather than the black of the outgoing model. The tail lamps are new too and now positioned higher on the rear bumper, improving visibility for following traffic. Their greater height also means they’re less likely to pick up on-road grime or off-road dust or mud.

The badging on the rear door is also updated. As before, the 2004 Freelander has a ‘drop window’ function on the key fob, particularly useful for loading items into the boot without having to open the rear door.

The Freelander has always been an easy vehicle to park, with its deep windows, wheel-at-each-corner stance and upright bearing. Now to improve parking ease even further, Park Distance Control is being offered for the first time as an option on some models.

To best suit the many and varied lifestyle needs of the Freelander drivers, there are now eight different alloy wheels.

Three new exterior colours are offered: Giverny Green, which was first shown on the new Range Rover, Helsinki Blue and Maya Gold. Thirteen exterior colours are available, including micatallic, metallic and solid finishes. Inside, the Freelander has been substantially redesigned.

“We’ve aimed to give the Freelander the classiest cabin in the compact 4WD market,” said Land Rover’s director of design, Geoff Upex. “Trim materials are improved, including the use of leather upholstery in some models and metallic finishes. The whole styling approach was to produce a cabin that looked understated but very high class. The distinctive horizontal and vertical planes, as seen in the Range Rover, are carried onto the Freelander. That is now part of Land Rover’s cabin design DNA.”

The new cabin offers greater comfort, convenience, style, safety and quality. A new style of seat is used across the range, offering improved body and under-thigh support.

The facia is new, as is the instrumentation. The switchgear is improved and the door trim is new – although the practical and vast door map pocket with bottle strap has been retained. The electric window lift switches are now positioned in the door trim on the five-door models.

The centre console is new, as are the larger cup holders mounted in the centre of the facia.

In addition to black, two new interior colours are now available: Alpaca Beige and Light Tundra. There is the choice of cloth, alcantara and perforated leather upholsteries available on various models in the range.

The in-car entertainment system has been much improved. A single-slot CD player is standard, as are six speakers. A six CD autochanger is used on the top-range derivatives, with premium, Harman/Kardon amplifier and eight-speaker sound system.

The Freelander was completely re-engineered for the 2001 model year, when new engines, transmissions and numerous quality improvements were announced. Over 70 per cent of the vehicle was new. Since then, there have been further mechanical improvements, improved heating, ventilation and air conditioning. Revised windscreen wipers and rear seat latching are amongst the detail improvements for 2004.

In Australia the 2004 Freelander will provide a market segment unique diesel only line up with the 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel in all model variants, providing exceptional fuel efficiency and performance.

Gearboxes comprise a five-speed electronically controlled automatic and a five-speed manual gearbox. The auto box has CommandShift manual control, for extra enjoyment, performance and off-road control.

As before, the Freelander comes in two body styles: three-door featuring a removable hardback or fold-up softback – unique in its class – and five-door.

Anti-lock brakes, power steering and a range of electronic traction controls are all standard. These include Land Rover’s patented and award-winning Hill Descent Control (HDC) which when engaged automatically moderates speed down the slipperiest slope, ensuring the driver stays in control.

Electronic Traction Control (ETC) works in conjunction with the four-wheel drive. If a wheel should spin, the power is instantly diverted to the wheel that still has grip, helping the driver to move away.

The brakes are moderated by Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), a computer-controlled system which ensures braking is automatically applied to maximum effect, cutting stopping distances and boosting safety. Unlike many rivals, the Freelander’s 4WD drive operates full-time. So all-wheel drive security is constantly there to help and protect, whenever the driver needs it.

Even the automatic gearbox naturally senses the conditions, modifying its gear change patterns on steep hills (‘mountain mode’) or going down precipitous drops (‘descent mode’). The long-articulation fully independent suspension is also much tougher than most rivals’ and gives superb stability on rough roads or tracks.

The 2004 Freelander with gutsy turbo diesel engine confidently tows a boat, trailer, campervan – or anything else. It has so much dynamic capability that its two-tonne towing capacity is up to three times the level of some 4WD rivals.

“The toughness and strength of the Freelander is evident in many ways beyond its towing capacity,’ said Land Rover’s managing director, Matthew Taylor. “It is extraordinarily good off-road, and this gives it a number of on-road advantages over rivals, and over conventional two-wheel drive cars. Its full-time 4WD is a boon when it rains or snows, or when the tarmac roads gets slippery due to mud, muck or oil. The high ‘command’ driving position of Freelander, also confers all sorts of safety advantages, both in town and in the country. A driver can see over parked cars, over hedges, and over spray coming off car tyres on a sodden motorway.”

OFF-ROAD

The Land Rover Freelander is the best off-roader in its class. No other premium compact 4WD can go where a Freelander can. Its off-road ability is the result of Land Rover’s unmatched expertise in 4WD technology. The company that created the Defender, the Range Rover and the Discovery, is just as proud of the Freelander’s go-anywhere skills.

It has to be able to climb, and descend, slopes that would have most rivals slipping and sliding. It has to be able to drive, without slithering or tipping, on a 30-degree side slope.

It has to have an unusually strong body shell, so at maximum wheel articulation the doors can open and shut easily. Most rivals’ bodies twist so much that the doors won’t open at all. This body strength translates into great strength and durability, in tough off-road conditions.

“When people drive Freelander off-road for the first time, their reaction is usually the same,” says the manager of the Land Rover Experience, David Sneath. “They are amazed. They can’t believe a compact and nimble car-like 4WD can achieve what Freelander can.”

Sneath cites the Freelander’s full-time 4WD – the torque to the rear wheels varies, depending on traction needs – and the advanced electronics as being two of the keys to the vehicle’s extraordinary ability to scale obstacles that leave its competitors floundering.

“The Electronic Traction Control and Hill Descent Control play a big part. The ETC works so well with the full time 4WD – they’re perfect partners, optimising the available traction. The Land Rover-patented Hill Descent Control greatly helps the vehicle’s ability safely to descend slippery slopes. It not only increases the vehicle’s capability, but also boosts the confidence of the driver.

“The vehicle is also light, which helps its ability to climb steep and slippery slopes. The enormous articulation of the wheels plays its part too, helping the Freelander clamber over rocks, bumps and holes.”

Land Rover’s off-road expertise shows in so many ways. There is a rugged alloy undertray, which protects the underside of the vehicle, including the engine sump. The rack-and-pinion steering is mounted high on the bulkhead – out of the way of rocks and branches that could damage the rack or steering arms on lesser 4WDs. The steering arms come off the centre of the rack, rather than the ends. The arms are therefore longer and can articulate better, helping wheel articulation and off-road ability.

The suspension components are all well shielded from off-road obstacles – reducing the chance of damage on severe terrain. Most rival 4WDs are far more likely to bend suspension parts.

What’s more, the Freelander’s suspension is also intrinsically tougher in the first place. A quick glance at a Freelander damper, and that of most rivals, is all that’s needed to demonstrate this. Even certain body parts are resilient to damage. The front wings are made from thermoplastic, for example, allowing them to shrug off minor scrapes and remain unmarked.

Water won’t often stop a Freelander, either with a wading depth of 400mm. The ECUs are sealed and all major electronic nerve centres and engine air intakes are sited as high as possible.

SALES

The Land Rover Freelander is sold in more than 140 countries worldwide and, for most of its life, has been the best selling SUV in Europe.

From 1998 to 2001 it topped the overall SUV sales charts in Europe, and was also number one in most of the big individual European markets – Britain, Germany, France, Italy, Belgium, Holland and Spain.

The Freelander still sells strongly throughout Europe, and easily remains the SUV leader in the UK.

“The Freelander quickly went to number one in Europe, and stayed there comfortably despite the best efforts of rival makers,” said Land Rover’s managing director Matthew Taylor. “It invented the compact premium 4WD market, so its runaway success is perhaps not surprising. Sales have peaked in some markets – but you would expect that from a product first launched in 1997, and one that has faced enormous competitive pressures. The changes we are introducing for 2004 address the key areas for improvement, as defined by our customers. So we’re confident of holding our own in this ever more competitive segment.

“The Freelander also sits in a slightly different market from its rivals. It is more upmarket, a more premium vehicle. Now that the 4WD market has exploded, and become more mainstream, it is unrealistic to expect a premium maker to head it. Yet we want to lead in our own very strong niche. That is our goal.”

Outside Europe, the Freelander’s biggest market is the USA, where sales commenced in late 2001. For 2002, 15,000 Freelanders were sold – helping to increase Land Rover’s sales in the world’s biggest vehicle market by 52 per cent.

To date, more than 370,000 Freelanders have already been sold worldwide.